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TPAC Gala get's a little 'Kinky'

Taj and Applause Award recipient Eddie George with son Eriq at the 2014 TPAC Gala, a fundraiser for TPAC's educational and cultural programming, held at The Tennessee Performing Arts Center.
(Photo:
Rusty Terry / The Tennessean
)

This weekend, our summer is officially over. Labor Day brings an end to all the things we enjoy during the summer months: time at the pool, beach or lake, celebrating the 4th of July with fireworks, cookouts and just sitting on the veranda, enjoying a cool breeze — if you can find one, that is! I'm hoping we have a lovely fall with lots of color in the trees, and those fabulous fall evenings with a slight chill in the air, sipping a hot toddy. . . Oh well, so much for dreaming. How about we put thoughts of fall on hold and take a look at the 2014 TPAC Gala?

Jack White, left, Krispin and John Menefee and Amy and Damon Bagwell at the 2014 TPAC Gala, a fundraiser for TPAC's educational and cultural programming, held at The Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Rusty Terry

Taj and Applause Award recipient Eddie George with son Eriq at the 2014 TPAC Gala, a fundraiser for TPAC's educational and cultural programming, held at The Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Rusty Terry

John and Beth Stein at the 2014 TPAC Gala, a fundraiser for TPAC's educational and cultural programming, held at The Tennessee Performing Arts Center. John Stein accepted the corporate Applause Award for Bank of America during the dinner program. Rusty Terry

The Playmates from Play Dance Bar, from left, Jaidynn Diore Fierce, Nichole Ellington Dupree, Aurora Sexton, The Princess and Dee Dee Renner help set the tone for the 2014 TPAC Gala - Kinky Boots, at the 2014 TPAC Gala, a fundraiser for TPAC's educational and cultural programming, held at The Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Rusty Terry

Applause Award Recipient Eddie George and Christine Barggren at the 2014 TPAC Gala, a fundraiser for TPAC's educational and cultural programming, held at The Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Rusty Terry

As I entered the main lobby of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center for the 2014 TPAC Gala, my attention was immediately drawn to the fabulous floral arrangement centered on a round table draped in red, and of course, the lobby area was bathed in red light. Later I would find the stage in Andrew Jackson Hall also bathed in red light. Why red? Well, to celebrate this year's theme of course: "Kinky Boots," which will play TPAC on Feb. 3-8.

During the cocktail hour and silent auction, guests mingled throughout the lobby, making their bids — from hotel stays, to dinner, to plays, art choices and much more. Truly, there was something for everyone. The Playmates from Play Dance Bar were on hand, mingling through the crowd, upbeat house music played in the background and the vibe was . . . well . . . kinky!

As guests moved to the Andrew Jackson Hall stage for dinner, they found the dining tables, covered in deep red and centered with red anthuriums. Guests began dinner with the First Course — "In The Corner" — a grilled romaine salad with roasted red pepper Caesar dressing topped with focaccia croutons, aged shaved Parmesan served with flamboyant egg and bacon. The entrée, "The Most Beautiful Thing in The World," was absolutely delish! A beef tenderloin topped a creamy goat cheese polenta with marsala mushroom wine sauce and summer squash; the vegetarians in the house were served "Just Be," edamame gnocchi with sauce delice de Bourgogne and confit tomato. Dessert, "A Whole Lot of Lola!," was a tasty chocolate cashew torte. Jon Howard and his staff at Sargent's Fine Catering outdid themselves yet again. The dinner was a triple yum!

As guests were enjoying their salads, a brief program recognized TPAC Education's 2014 Teacher of the Year, Nelda Lee Sturgeon. Current and past board members, gala co-chairs and committee members were thanked for their hard work, and top sponsors for the evening were recognized. John Stein accepted the corporate Applause Award for Bank of America, and Eddie George also received the Applause Award for his contributions to the arts.